Kahlua Tiramisu
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS:
The other day I was walking with this elderly Italian lady in North Beach when suddenly she tripped over a half eaten meatball. I hate it when people leave their used meatballs just laying in the street.

Anyway, she looked up at me and shouted, "tiramisu!" I was briefly puzzled at why she'd want dessert at 10:28am until I realized that "ti ra misu" are also the three Italian words that mean "pick me up". If the sublime mixture of kahlua, softened layfingers, cheese, and vanilla don't sufficiently liven your spirits you may want to consult your family doctor.

Marscarpone cheese is traditional, but it's so expensive! Cream cheese works just as well (although it's thicker so you'll need a little more kahlua to bring it to a spreadable consistency... or maybe that's just an excuse to get more of a punch into my dessert) 		2 Cups Marscarpone or Cream Cheese
1 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/2 Cup to 1 Cup Kahlua (depending on taste)
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Kahlua for soaking the ladyfingers
36 Ladyfingers
Cocoa Powder to Garnish


View Details for Kahlua Tiramisu
Method:
 -Combine the cheese, cream, powdered sugar, 1/2 Cup to 1 Cup Kahlua, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. With a hand held electric mixer whip all of the ingredients until completely smooth. The mixture should thick but still spreadable.
-Dip the ladyfingers in the rest of the kahlua just briefly so the outsides get lightly soaked.
-In an 8X12" casserole dish or baking pan place a layer of the soaked ladyfingers placing them as close together as possible. Spread half of the cheese mixture evenly over the ladyfingers covering them completely. Top with the other half of the ladyfingers and then the rest of the cheese mixture. Sift cocoa powder on top and allow to sit in the fridge or freezer for several hours before cutting into squares and serving.

Also try some chocolate covered espresso beans for an even fancier garnish!  
ChefKerry.com